Croatian VIG Group company receives social award and EUR 50,000 prize money for enhancing child security online
Wiener osiguranje wins the 2018 Gold Günter Geyer Award for its “(O)siguran online” project.
Studies show that around 75 percent of pre-school and primary-school children in Croatia use the internet without parental control. There is insufficient protection against online dangers and an almost total lack of information material. Therefore, the VIG Group company Wiener osiguranje focuses its attention on this key topic.
The company launched a comprehensive range of initiatives in partnership with Croatia’s Association for Communication and Media Culture (DKMK) and the University of Zagreb. These included an online survey, workshops for parents, teachers and pupils, information events and round table discussions. A dedicated website was set up and guidelines prepared for secure internet use. “Around 500 Wiener osiguranje employees and numerous Croatian schools took part in the ‘(O)siguran online’ project with the goal of making cyberspace a safer place for the country’s children. Such outstanding dedication deserves recognition. So I’m delighted to present the 2018 Gold Günter Geyer Award to Wiener osiguranje and I would like to thank the company for its fantastic commitment,” commented Peter Höfinger, Vienna Insurance Group Managing Board member and responsible for Croatia. The Gold Günter Geyer Award comes with prize money of EUR 50,000. Wiener osiguranje accepted the prize at a ceremony held in Zagreb on 26 March 2019.
Strong track record: Wiener osiguranjeThe Vienna Insurance Group entered the Croatian market in 1999. Wiener osiguranje has become one of the Group’s most successful company and is currently ranked fourth on the Croatian insurance market, with a share of 9 percent. “Croatia is one of the four markets where we want to achieve a market share of at least 10 percent in the medium term. And I think we’re definitely heading in the right direction. Steady increases in premiums and improved performance are bringing us closer to our goal,” explained Peter Höfinger. In financial year 2018, Wiener osiguranje reported an increase of around 15 percent in premium income to EUR 117 million, pre-tax profit went up by just over 11 percent to EUR 8 million, and there was another substantial improvement in the combined ratio, which stood at 97.2 percent.
Günter Geyer Award for Social Conscience
Launched in 2012, the annual Günter Geyer Award for Social Conscience is presented by the Vienna Insurance Group’s main shareholder, Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein. Named after the Chairman of the Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein Managing Board Günter Geyer, the accolade is awarded each year to three VIG Group companies, which have provided outstanding service to the community through their social activities, or those of their employees. The prize money, which totals EUR 100,000, must be earmarked for a specific purpose, and is used by the winners to support social projects.